Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
Key Points
- To help with your search for an affordable SUV, we compiled a list of the 10 cheapest ones as of January 2026, which all fall under the subcompact class.
- Versus sedans, subcompact SUVs offer a higher seating position, a more rugged appearance and available all-wheel drive.
- All vehicles included in this list have AWD available.
The subcompact SUV market has boomed as automakers have rushed to add pint-size products to their lineups. Though they don’t have more passenger space than your typical small car — and many of them have even less cargo space — they do offer a higher seating position, a more rugged appearance and available all-wheel drive.
Related: Here Are the 10 Cheapest Pickup Trucks You Can Buy Right Now
To help with your search for an affordable SUV, we compiled a list of the 10 of the cheapest ones as of January 2026, and unsurprisingly, they all fall under the subcompact category. They’re ordered by base price, from least to most expensive, and all prices include the SUV’s destination charge, but not any cash incentives or taxes. Prices and EPA combined fuel-economy estimates are for front-wheel-drive versions of all the SUVs except the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, which come with standard AWD. All prices also include an automatic transmission.
Affordable subcompacts like the Hyundai Venue may look like other subcompact SUVs and are marketed as such, but they don’t offer AWD, whose availability we required to make this list. (You can find the Venue on our companion list, the 10 Cheapest Cars You Can Buy Right Now.) Adding AWD to most of the SUVs below costs around $1,500-$2,000.
Cheapest New SUVs
1. 2026 Nissan Kicks S: $23,925
2. 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS: $25,095
3. 2026 Kia Seltos LX: $25,285
4. 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross L: $26,385
5. 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport S: $26,740
6. 2026 Hyundai Kona SE: $26,950
7. 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S: $27,470
8. 2026 Honda HR-V LX: $27,950
9. 2026 Volkswagen Taos 1.5T S: $27,975
10. 2026 Buick Encore GX Preferred: $27,995
1. 2026 Nissan Kicks S
- Price: $23,925 (including $1,495 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Nissan Kicks: The Kicks was redesigned for the 2025 model year, and for 2026, it gets an infotainment system update as well as a new Cold Weather Package.
Completely redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Nissan Kicks has gone from being a stylistic wallflower to a head-turning small SUV, and it’s now available with AWD. Starting just under $24,000, the Kicks’ list of standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen, keyless entry, push-button start, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Unfortunately, the base S trim doesn’t include smartphone connectivity. The Kicks requires patience when attempting passing maneuvers, as its 141-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is fine so long as it’s not rushed. At this price point, quick acceleration isn’t on the menu; heavy applications of the gas pedal result in more noise than momentum.
For 2026, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now standard on all trims; it was previously only on SV and SR trims. Also, a new Cold Weather Package for the SV and SR trims bundles heated seats, heated side mirrors and rear floor heater ducts.
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2. 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS
- Price: $25,095 ($1,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer: The Trailblazer subcompact SUV is powered by a 137-hp, turbo 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and comes with two powertrains and some standard useful tech features.
Introduced for the 2021 model year, the Chevrolet Trailblazer subcompact SUV is powered by a 137-hp, turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and comes with standard FWD and a continuously variable automatic transmission or available AWD and a nine-speed automatic. The Trailblazer also comes standard with useful tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and important active-safety features including automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning with steering assist. There are no major changes for 2026.
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3. 2026 Kia Seltos LX
- Price: $25,285 ($1,495 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 29 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Kia Seltos: The Seltos was refreshed for 2024, and for 2026, it sees some trim level and price shuffling.
The Seltos LX is powered by a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that works with a CVT; FWD is standard and AWD is optional. The base trim’s long list of standard features includes 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. With its refresh for 2024, the Seltos got updated front-end styling and enhanced safety and tech features like blind spot collision warning, a speed limit assist and warning system, and enhanced forward collision avoidance assist. For 2026, the big news is that the black-trimmed X-Line has been dropped. The base LX trim is $1,000 cheaper than it was for 2025, possibly because it now comes with standard FWD, whereas before it had standard AWD; the rest of the lineup starts $200 higher.
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4. 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross L
- Price: $26,385 ($1,450 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 32 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross: The Corolla Cross is positioned below the larger RAV4 in the automaker’s SUV lineup, shares a platform and powertrain with the popular Corolla compact car, and has good standard features and available AWD, but power is meager.
Having joined the Toyota lineup for the 2022 model year, the Corolla Cross is positioned below the larger RAV4 in the automaker’s SUV lineup. As its name implies, the Corolla Cross shares a platform and powertrain with the popular Corolla compact car. That powertrain — a 169-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT — is rated at 32 mpg combined with the base Corolla Cross L’s standard FWD. An 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity comes standard, as do advanced safety features like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. We like the Corolla Cross’ standard features and available AWD, but power is meager for both city and highway driving.
Updates for the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross subcompact SUV are minimal. The biggest change is new grilles for both gas-only and gas-electric hybrid models. The center console has been reworked with a new gear selector and an updated charging pad to improve ergonomics and to bring the Corolla Cross more in line with the rest of the Toyota lineup. Also, a larger 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen is available as either an upgrade or standard kit, depending on the trim.
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This vehicle is currently in high demand given its competitive price, desirable features, and overall condition, and may have a higher chance of selling quickly.
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5. 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport S
- Price: $26,740 ($1,745 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 26 mpg (manufacturer-estimated)
- What to know about the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: The Outlander Sport hasn’t changed much since its debut for 2011, and it’s been eclipsed by much of its competition in that time, though it remains affordable.
The Outlander Sport hasn’t changed much since its debut for 2011, and it’s been eclipsed by much of its competition in that time. Still, it’s a very affordable vehicle, and in its base S trim, the Outlander Sport includes a 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, standard AWD and a CVT. Its standard equipment is fairly bare-bones compared to the top two on this list, but it does include a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic high beams, automatic climate control, and key safety items such as forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. You’ll be missing out on a few of the most popular options by opting for the base trim, though — blind spot monitoring, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all saved for higher trims.
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6. 2026 Hyundai Kona SE
- Price: $26,950 ($1,600 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Hyundai Kona: Hyundai refreshed the Kona for 2024 with updated styling, more passenger room and improved technology, and its trim levels are shuffled for 2026.
Hyundai refreshed the Kona for 2024 with updated styling, more passenger room and improved technology. Three powertrains are available: two gas-powered engines and an all-electric version. The base SE once again gets a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT; it has a 31 mpg combined fuel economy rating. The sportier N Line and uplevel Limited use a 190-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic; it’s good for 28 mpg combined with FWD. For 2026, Hyundai dropped the N Line appearance package and the SEL trim; the SEL Sport and SEL Premium trims take their place.
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7. 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S
- Price: $27,470 ($1,495 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 27 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Mazda CX-30: For 2026, Mazda’s smallest SUV gets a new trim level and a center display update.
The AWD-only CX-30’s base S trim is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-30 now makes 186 hp, and its EPA-rated fuel economy is an impressive 27 mpg combined. The generous list of standard features for the S trim include an 8.8-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system and push-button start with keyless entry. Standard driver-assist features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure steering assist, automatic high-beam headlights and adaptive cruise control.
For 2026, a new Aire Edition is available for both available powertrains; it includes blacked-out exterior accents and a light-colored interior. In addition, a 10.25-inch center display is now available for some 2.5 S variants, and a new brake-based limited-slip differential is standard.
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8. 2026 Honda HR-V LX
- Price: $27,950 ($1,450 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 28 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Honda HR-V: Redesigned for 2023, the HR-V got a longer and wider exterior, a more powerful engine and improved safety tech; it gets minor updates for 2026.
Redesigned for 2023, the HR-V got a longer and wider exterior, a more powerful engine and improved safety tech. The standard powertrain is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 158 hp (up from 141 horses in the previous generation) and is mated with a CVT. The power increase came with a fuel efficiency trade-off, however, knocking the SUV’s EPA-rated combined mpg from 30 to 28 for FWD versions. Standard on the base LX is a 7-inch center touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Honda Sensing bundle of driver aids is also standard. It includes traffic jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane departure steering assist.
For 2026, the 9-inch touchscreen and wireless device charging that were previously exclusive to the EX-L are now standard on all trims, as is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Other minor updates include new wheel designs and standard rear privacy glass.
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9. 2026 Volkswagen Taos 1.5T S
- Price: $27,975 ($1,475 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 31 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Volkswagen Taos: VW’s smallest SUV got a styling refresh and power boost for the 2025 model year; it sees no major changes for 2026.
The Taos got a styling refresh and power boost for the 2025 model year. VW’s smallest SUV is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 174 hp — a 16 hp bump from 2024. With FWD, the engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic and is rated at 31 mpg combined. The base S trim gets a standard 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also comes with driver aids like automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, lane departure warning, lane departure steering assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Taos sees no major changes for 2026 besides newly standard wireless smartphone connectivity.
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10. 2026 Buick Encore GX Preferred
- Price: $27,995 ($1,795 destination)
- Combined fuel economy: 30 mpg
- What to know about the 2026 Buick Encore GX: The Encore GX was thoroughly updated for 2024 and is available with two powertrains.
The Buick Encore GX was thoroughly updated for the 2024 model year. The base Preferred trim is powered by a turbo 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 137 hp and 162 pounds-feet of torque. FWD is standard along with a CVT; AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 155-hp, turbo 1.3-liter three-cylinder are available. The Encore GX’s dashboard is outfitted with an 11-inch display that combines a touchscreen and digital instrument cluster under a single piece of glass. Standard equipment on the Preferred trim includes four USB ports, wireless smartphone connectivity and voice commands. The Encore GX carries over without major changes for 2026.
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